Brassiere hook cover

ABSTRACT

In a brassiere hook cover, a small pocket is sewn or otherwise affixed to the interior surface of the brassiere, adjacent to the hook section of a hook and eye closure. When the user is ready to launder the brassiere, the user opens the pocket flap and turns the pocket inside out, such that the hook section of the hook and eye closure is contained within the pocket. This prevents the hook section from becoming entangled with other items. The pocket and pocket flap feature a smooth, low-profile construction to remain invisible under the user&#39;s dress, blouse, or other outer garments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to women's undergarments and accessories and in particular to a brassiere hook cover. Brassieres, as well as certain other women's undergarments, often feature hook and eye closures. The hook section of the hook and eye closure presents a hazard when laundering the undergarment, by creating a risk that the hook section may become entangled with other laundered articles of clothing, or with the washing machine itself. The result is a damaged brassiere or other garment. A brassiere hook cover would resolve this problem. In particular, a small pocket sewn or otherwise affixed to the interior surface of the brassiere or other garment, adjacent to the hook section of the hook and eye closure would be particularly useful. When the user is ready to launder the brassiere or other garment, the user opens the pocket flap and turns the pocket inside out, such that the hook section of the hook and eye closure is contained within the pocket. This prevents the hook section from becoming entangled with other items. The user may now safely launder intimate apparel without worrying. The pocket and pocket flap feature a smooth, low-profile construction to remain invisible under the user's dress, blouse, or other outer garments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a brassiere hook cover. A small pocket is sewn or otherwise affixed to the interior surface of the brassiere, adjacent to the hook section of a hook and eye closure. When the user is ready to launder the brassiere, the user opens the pocket flap and turns the pocket inside out, such that the hook section of the hook and eye closure is contained within the pocket. This prevents the hook section from becoming entangled with other items. The pocket and pocket flap feature a smooth, low-profile construction to remain invisible under the user's dress, blouse, or other outer garments.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a rear transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the pocket 10, the pocket flap 11, and the hook and loop fastener strip 12.

FIG. 2 shows a side transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the pocket 10, the pocket flap 11, and the hook and loop fastener strip 12.

FIG. 3 shows a rear transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment affixed to a brassiere, displaying the pocket 10, the pocket flap 11, the hook and loop fastener strip 12, the brassiere 13, the hook and eye closure 14, and the hook section 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a brassiere hook cover. A small discreet pocket 10 is sewn or otherwise affixed to the interior surface of the brassiere 13, adjacent to the hook section 15 of a hook and eye closure 14 applied to the brassiere in the ordinary manner. A pocket flap 11 removably covers the opening of the pocket 10. When the user is ready to launder the brassiere 13, the user opens the pocket flap 11 and turns the pocket 10 inside out, such that the hook section 15 of the hook and eye closure 14 is contained within the pocket. This prevents the hook section 15 from becoming entangled with other items.

The pocket 10 and pocket flap 11 feature a hook and loop fastener strip 12. The pocket 10 and pocket flap 11 also feature a smooth, low-profile construction to remain invisible under the user's dress, blouse, or other outer garments. While the device is presented as an attachment for a brassiere, it is to be understood that this is not intended as a limiting factor. The device may be used with other women's undergarments, and any other washable garments or other items featuring hook and eye closures.

The first exemplary embodiment is intended to be permanently affixed to the garment by the manufacturer. Alternate embodiments, wherein the device may be provided separately as a modification kit to be affixed by the user to a garment, either as a permanent modification of the garment or as a temporary protective device to be attached during laundering and then removed, are also contemplated.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user pushes back the pocket flap 11 and turns the pocket 10 inside out, enclosing the hook section 15 of the brassiere 13. The hook section 15 is now covered, and the user may launder the brassiere 13 without the hook section 15 becoming entangled with other laundered clothing or with a washing machine component.

The pocket 10 and the pocket flap 11 are preferably manufactured from a material that matches the brassiere on which it is installed, for example a satin brassiere would be provided with a satin pocket 10 and flap 11. The pocket 10 and flap 11 are otherwise of preferably of a flexible, durable material, such as cotton, a cotton-rayon blend, or elasticized cotton. The hook and loop fastener strip 12 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as plastic or nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A brassiere hook cover comprising a brassiere; a hook closure; said hook closure being applied to said brassiere; a pocket; said pocket being affixed to the inner surface of said brassier adjacent to said hook closure; a pocket flap; and said pocket flap removably covering the opening of said pocket.
 2. A method of using the brassiere hook cover of claim 1 comprising opening said pocket flap, turning said pocket inside out whereby said hook closure is concealed within said pocket, and laundering said brassiere. 